Anthony Posa, MGE Unified Technologies

My grandfather served during World War II as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. Growing up I had a deep love of space exploration, science fiction, computers, and video games and thought my direction would be a pilot in the Air Force (sorry grandad). The armed forces recruitment center was my after school fun activity. Fast forward – I moved out of my parents’ home as I just graduated high school in Staten Island and was doing odd jobs to pay rent while attending the college of Staten Island. Fast forwarding a little more, I was accepted into the NYPD, academy bound and was transferring to John Jay to study criminal justice. It was then, my life changed as I was suddenly presented with a different career path. I was offered a position as a consultant at the Citibank headquarters in Long Island City and that decision changed my life.

From a consultant at Citibank, I worked with a number of amazing companies; Republic National Bank, FCB, WPP, Ogilvy & Mather, Director of IT (a titled consultant) at Ogilvy Public Relations World Wide and then my first position as principal, CIO, at DW Integrated.  And as luck would have it, it was also when the DOT COM bubble burst.

I had a choice and it was then that I decided that my destiny had to be shaped by my actions and less reliant on others for healthy business practices. I decided that all I had learned working for large organizations would now allow me to serve my clients in a more focused matter. My focus was to become a principal in a business that as part of a team would streamline infrastructure cabling, premise security and audiovisual design/build to aid architects, owner representatives, MEP Engineers and clients. To create a workflow process that supports the actual environment being built and line up technologies in a way that would support the business functions. I wanted to be part of a company that could understand the functions, needs of IT, office operations and the business leaders. Be part of a unified technology firm that can support the clients the way they should be.

Q: What are your lessons learned?

A: What I have learned is that truly listening to the team needs is what is most important. It is important to use your learned experience to answer every question derived from a project but also to use that same experience to explore the questions no one has yet to ask.

Q: What are you biggest challenges? 

A: Earlier in my career my desire to please took precedent. In retrospect, being straight forward in a difficult situation alleviates the stressors of the task at hand. I now strive to communicate in a constructive way but recognize that sometimes you just have to pull the Band-Aid off.

Vineyard Vines - Stamford, CT

Q: How do you feel about the MGE UTC affiliation with MGE?

A: I am humbled and honored to be part of the MGE brand. The relationships, experience and talent of MGE supports MGE UTC with deep experience and design validation.  It is extremely complimentary when both companies get the opportunity to work on the same project. In fact, our collective knowledge provides efficient communications for all project related matters.  

Q: What does your five-year plan look like? 

A: In a nutshell - continue to cultivate the talent at MGE UTC. We have great people that have a deep love and respect for what they do. We are successful as a firm because we believe that what we do has an effect on the overall outcome. When everyone on the team cares and takes responsibility, you can do anything. There is no such thing as a perfect project. What makes a project successful is everyone’s participation which will lead to a happy client.

Q: What industries are you focused on? 

A: Fortunately, with the makeup of our firm, we can service all sectors from buildings out of ground, corporate interiors, medical, not-for-profit, education, retail, law, government and even large venue arenas. There are basic principles to every project which make up the foundation. When we meet with any client, we do not have preconceived notions or categorize what they do and advise them by their business sector only. We listen to our clients; provide the relevant information to allow them to make informed choices.

Q: How do you see technology changing for your clients?

A: Technology will continue to be more organic and integrated in the daily functions. Our role is to provide the design to match the environments with daily process requirements and the way our clients interface with their clients. The ‘consumerization’ of technology has and will continue to be integrated to business.

WebMD - New York, NY

Q: Any changes to the company?

A: Well first, we have re-branded ourselves to better define who we are as a company and better yet as a brand.  Further we are participating at deeper level on projects. Our role is more involved from a design standpoint, and we are now helping more clients from inception – during the selection of their next home. We work with developers, brokers, architects and owner representatives to help provide complete pictures on the technology experiences for their clients.

Q: How do you see technology positioned in the industry?

A: We see an industry that should support the evolution of self-help. Technology should be seamless, and less cumbersome. IT and operations already have their hands full. The ideal for any workplace would be a space that embraces and supports a more technology savvy workforce. The bridge and infrastructure should be in place for clients to cross this bridge then use the systems easily once they do.

Q: How will you continue to live up to your excellent reputation? 

A: Repeat business is always a top priority. We must be selfless and simple. We must listen, follow-up and execute.

Q: Any closing thoughts?

A: I am proud of my partners; I am proud of the people that work for the MGE brand. I love our clients and the client teams that we work with and continue to work with us. We are in a great industry. Our contribution to projects build environments that could endure long past any of us. I am proud of that.

Anthony Posa is managing principal/CEO at MGE Unified Technologies Corp., New York, N.Y.